Chapter 26
Bulma groaned, rolling over on the bed as she woke. Her eyes felt like they were sealed shut. She had to practically pry them open. She stumbled out of bed, almost falling as she made her way to the bathroom. God! She felt like crap. She glanced in the mirror. She looked it too. She squinted at her swollen eyes, an indention on her cheek from the pillow. Her hair stuck up like she had slept with hairspray in it. She looked like shit!
Bulma groaned again, splashing her face with water, before drying off and shakily making her way downstairs. She didn't give a damn how she looked. A first for the high maintenance heiress, but right now there were more important things to worry about. Like her three missing godson's. A sob escaped her, a tear trailing down her face for a moment before she fiercely swiped it away. I hope they find Marie! And she get's hurt as much as we are hurting right now. Bulma immediately felt regret for that thought, as soft-hearted as Goku by nature, although her attitude covered it up. She would do anything for them kids! Anything! Another sob choked her, tears momentarily blinding her as she made her way to the kitchen. She turned the coffee pot on, working around the kitchen on autopilot. Her face grim, she slowly made herself a cup of coffee once the pot was done. Bulma turned, heading for the table. She glanced out the window.
Her cup shattered on the floor, her brain barely registering the burns on her feet as the scolding hot coffee splashed. Her breathing stopped, her gaze riveted to the woman standing on her front lawn, her back to the house. Bulma sucked in a much needed breath, her lungs screaming after a couple of moments without air. She took a shaky step forward, going to the sliding glass door and stepping out. The woman was gone. In her place was what looked like a pile of clothes. She took a step closer. With a gasp, she went running, the dew of early morning soaking her feet. She fell to the ground, gasping and sobbing.
"GOKU! VEGETA!" Bulma screamed.
She layed a shaky hand on one of the boys, a scream of happiness escaping her as she felt the rise and fall of his chest. They were sleeping. Bulma tentatively rolled one of them over, noticing it was Pace. His features were soft, innocently slumbering beside his brothers. She checked all of them, looking for any signs that they were harmed. A breathy sob escaped her as she swiped at the tears on her face again. She heard the fighters skid to a stop behind her. A moment later she was roughly pushed aside, Vegeta bending down to look over his sons' himself. He picked up all three, his throat working. Without a word, he walked into the house, everyone trailing behind.
Vegeta laid them on the couch, bending down in front of it and burying his face in Brock's shirt. They were quiet, watching his shoulder's shake, even though he wasn't making a sound. He finally lifted his head, not facing them, as he gently shook Gideon awake. The boy mumbled, swatting at his hand and rolling over, his tail flicking slightly. They gently laughed. By this time, everyone, including Zoey, were gazing at the boys in relief.
Vegeta shook him again. They heard the boy sigh, turning and scowling at his dad. He jumped up a moment later, launching himself at Vegeta and wrapping his arms around him. Gideon beamed, looking around. His smile slowly died as he surveyed the living room. He turned confused eyes to his dad.
"Where's mommy?" he asked, his voice small.
They saw Vegeta struggling to keep his face impassive, but not succeeding as Gideon's eyes widened. He climbed back on the couch. He punched Brock in the arm, making the boy jerk awake. Brock did the same to Pace, earning a scowl himself. The boys looked around.
"Where's mommy?" they asked, the sound almost a wail.
Vegeta stood, glaring angrily down at them. The group looked at him in surprise. He clenched his hands, gritting his teeth and looking away.
"Your mother," he bit out, "is not here!" He snarled, seeming to try to get a hold of himself before turning back to his sons'. He bent back down, gazing at each of their faces as he spoke.
"She didn't harm you, did she?" he asked softly.
The boys' eyes widened, staring open-mouthed at their dad. Pace was the first to speak.
"MOMMY WOULDN'T HURT US!" He jumped up, baring his teeth at his father. "TAKE THAT BACK! NOW DADDY!"
The other two boys glared at him as well, crossing their arms. Vegeta stared, gaping at them.
"How dare you buck to me boy! You're lucky I'm not mad at you right now!" he said softly.
"Mommy told us to!" they shouted, glaring at their father.
Everyone jerked in surprise. Goku stepped towards them.
"She told you to defy your father?" their uncle asked softly.
The boys shifted on the couch, suddenly uncomfortable. They stared down at the cushions, their brows furrowed gently.
"No," they said together, looking at one another. They each fidgeted, biting their lips as the boys' tails swished behind them.
"What did she tell you?" Vegeta asked quietly, eyes narrowed.
They stayed quiet. They knew that tone, but they weren't going to defy their mother for the sake of their father.
"Answer me," he said in the same quiet voice.
The boys' chins tilted up, crossing their arms. "No! Mommy talked to us! And it's between us and her! We don't want to tell you! You said mean things about mommy!"
Vegeta closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. The group could tell his patience was wearing thin. Goku bent down beside Vegeta. He studied his nephews, a small smile appearing on his face.
"Can you tell your Uncle Goku?" he asked softly, resting an arm on his knee. The boys looked at one another again. "Mommy didn't say not to!" Gideon reasoned, studying his brothers for a moment longer before turning to his uncle. He studied him for a moment, the mature look on his face surprising the people standing behind the men.
"Okay," he said softly. He took a breath, glancing down as he kicked a leg, his tail wrapping around his waist. "She talked to us lots, for a long time," he said, looking at his brothers for confirmation. They nodded, small smiles appearing on their faces. "Yeah, and we had a fire, and we ate over it, and-" Brock cut off, pressing his lips together. Gideon scowled at him, earning a soft chuckle from the group. They waited for Gideon to continue.
"Where did she take you?" Goku asked gently, sneaking a glance at the man beside him. Vegeta was studying his sons, a muscle jumping in his jaw. He turned back to the boys.
Gideon ignored Goku's question. "She told us that we should look out for one another, that we were a team, no matter what happened." He winced, his voice a whisper as he continued. "And she said not to disobey you daddy, 'cuz its important we listen, so nothing like this ever happens again." He hesitated, looking down at his lap. "She said lots other stuff too," he mumbled.
"Like what?" Vegeta asked, his voice soft, but Goku and the others could here the underlying steel in his voice.
Gideon didn't say anything, just continued to stare at his lap. Brock took his cue from his stronger brother, his gaze sliding away, not speaking. Pace sat, arms crossed, glaring at his father. He didn't say anything either.
Gideon suddenly sniffled, a tear rolling down his cheek. His head jerked up, looking around.
"She said she would be watching over us, but we wouldn't see her. She said we would know she was there! And she's not, she's not here! Where is she!" Gideon's voice broke.
They all were quiet, their hearts breaking for the little boy crying for his mother. Bulma and Zoey swiped tears out of their eyes. Chi-Chi quickly left the room, her shoulder's shaking.
Gideon suddenly looked angry. He sent a pouty look towards his father.
"Did you tell mommy to leave! Is that why she isn't here? Did you make her go away!?" The boys started crying as Gideon said the last part. Vegeta suddenly stood up.
"Be quiet!" he stated, watching his boys as they swiped their faces, using the back of their hands to wipe their nose. They raised watery eyes to him.
"Your mother is not here by choice." He narrowed his eyes. "And I don't want to hear another word about it. Got it!" He waited for them to slowly nod before continuing.
"Now stop that whining! Come on, you all need baths," Vegeta stated, turning and walking towards the stairs. He looked back, not stopping. "Come on!"
The boys slowly slid off the couch, a grim look on their faces. They all studied the floor as they followed their father, their tails limp.
"I bet he did something mean to make mommy leave!" they heard Pace say, before they disappeared up the stairs.
A/N: Did I scare you!? You really didn't think she would kill her own children, right? HeHeHe! And in case you're wandering, the triplets are Five years old now. It's been peaceful in their world for the last few years, but come on! Something was bound to happen! The boys are slowly learning about hurt and loss. It's going to be a tough road for all of them, but everyone learns from these experiences. Right?
Please Review!
P.S: For all of you who, like me, love to imagine Vegeta, I'll let you know what he's supposed to look like in this later part of the story. He looks like he did when he fought Buu (when he blew himself up).
If Bulma could at least give me one night! That's all I'm asking! ^_^ She can share!